Resection margin of colorectal cancer surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The judgment of surgical resection margins is an important factor affecting local recurrence and distant metastasis of colorectal cancer, which is crucial to the prognosis of patients. How to select a standard and ideal surgical resection margin is a challenge for colorectal cancer surgeons. Surgical resection margins for colorectal cancer include longitudinal resection margin (LRM) and circumferential resection margin (CRM), and the distance of safe resection margins varies according to different guidelines. Surgical resection margins are mainly evaluated by preoperative imaging, operative experience, operative type, hyperspectral imaging (HPI) and fluorescence angiography (FA), and postoperative pathology. It is the constant pursuit of colorectal cancer surgeons to pay attention to the safe resection margins in colorectal cancer surgery to reduce local recurrence and distant metastasis.

Clinical significance of circumferential margin foresophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To analyze the relationship between the circumferential resection margin status and prognosis and clinicopathological features of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:The information of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent radical resection at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from October 2017 to March 2019 were collected. All patients were diagnosed with advanced squamous cell carcinoma by postoperative pathology. Demographic data including sex, age, T stage, N stage, tumor location, lesion length, gross pathological type, vascular tumor embolization, nerve invasion and circumferential resection margin were collected and analyzed. The circumferential resection margins were evaluated using the College of American Pathologists(CAP) criteria. A total of 328 cases were included in this study according to the inclusion criteria. Using SPSS 20.0 statistical software, univariate survival analysis was assessed by Kaplan- Meier survival curves, survival curves were compared using Log- rank tests, and multivariate analysis was carried out by Cox regression. The Fisher exact and Chi- square tests were used to compare counting data. Results:As of the follow-up date, the 1-year and 2-year overall survival rates of 328 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were 91.9% and 84.8%, respectively. The median overall survival was 16 months(range 2-25 months). Univariate analysis showed that T stage, vascular embolism and nerve invasion were the influencing factors of overall survival, multivariate analysis showed that nerve invasion was an independent risk factor for overall survival, stratified analysis showed that the circumferential resection margin was related to overall survival in patients less than 60 years old( P=0.006), patients with ulcerative type of gross pathology( P=0.002) and patients with tumor length ≥4 cm( P=0.046). The 1-year and 2-year disease-free survival rates of the whole group were 89.7% and 67.8%, respectively. The median disease-free survival was 16 months(range 2-25 months). Univariate analysis showed that N stage was the influencing factor of disease-free survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and stratified analysis showed that the disease-free survival rate of patients with ulcerative type( P=0.002), tumor length ≥4 cm( P=0.015) and circumferential resection margin negative group were better than that of circumferential resection margin positive group. There were 66 patients with positive circumferential resection margin in the whole group, and the positive rate of circumferential resection margin was 20.1%. Univariate analysis showed that T stage, N stage, vascular embolism, nerve invasion and gross pathological type were the influencing factors of circumferential resection margin, while multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that T stage, vascular embolism and gross pathological type were the influencing factors of circumferential resection margin. Conclusion:According to CAP criteria, circumferential resection margin is not related to the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Positive circumferential resection margins of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma correlate with T stage, vascular embolism, and gross pathologic type, but not with other clinicopathologic features.

Correlation between MDCT-based arterial radiomics score and the resection margin of superior mesenteric vein in patients with pancreatic head cancer / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To accurately identify the relationship between the arterial radiomics score (rad-score) and pathologic superior mesenteric vein (SMV) resection margin in patients with pancreatic head cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 181 patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic head cancer, who underwent multi-slice computed tomography (MDCT) within one month of resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University between January 2016 and December 2018 were collected. Based on the pathology of SMV resection margin, the patients were divided into SMV negative margin group ( n=127) and SMV positive margin group ( n=54). The clinical, pathological and radiological features were compared between two groups. 3D slicer software was used to draw the region of interest in each layer of the primary CT arterial images for tumor segmentation. Rython package was applied to extract the radiomics features of pancreatic tumors after segmentation and the extracted features were reduced and chosen using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) logistic regression algorithm. Lasso logistic regression formula was applied to calculated the arterial rad-score. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between the arterial rad-score and SMV resection margin. ROC was drawn and AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosing the SMV resection margin were calculated. The clinical usefulness of arterial rad-score for diagnosing SMV resection margin was determined by decision curve analysis (DCA). Results:There were statistical differences on LVSI and the touching angle of tumor and SMV/portal vein (PV) between SMV negative margin group and SMV positive margin group (all P<0.001). A total of 1 029 arterial radiomics CT features were obtained, and 14-selected arterial phase features associated with SMV resection margin were determined after being reduced by the Lasso logistic regression algorithm. Univariate analysis showed that the arterial radiomics score, LVSI, the touching angle of tumor and SMV/PV were all correlated with SMV resection margin (all P<0.001). Multivariate analyses confirmed that patients with high arterial radiomics score had a 3.63-fold risk of positive resection margin compared with that with low arterial radiomics score, and a higher arterial rad-score was associated with a higher risk of SMV positive resection margin ( P<0.0001). At the cut-off value of -0.711, AUC of the arterial rad-score for diagnosing SMV resection margin was 0.838, and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy was 77.8%, 75.6% and 76.24%. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the percentage of the arterial radiomics score for predicting the positive SMV resection margin was >0.02, and the application of the arterial radiomics score could benefit the patients. Conclusions:The arterial rad-score was strongly correlated with SMV resection margin of pancreatic cancer, and can accurately predict SMV resection margin and provide a new tool for preoperative noninvasive evaluation of the SMV resection margin.

Short term efficacy of laparoscopic assisted transanal total mesorectal excision for low rectal cancer: a prospective, multicenter, case registration study / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the short term efficacy of laparoscopic assisted transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) for low rectal cancer.Methods:The prospective study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 80 patients who underwent laparoscopic assisted taTME for low rectal cancer in 8 medical centers，including 27 cases in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University，16 cases in the Daping Hospital of Army Medical University，15 cases in the Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University，10 cases in the Peking University Cancer Hospital，7 cases in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences，2 cases in the Peking University People′s Hospital，2 cases in the Liaoning Cancer Hospital Institute，1 case in the Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine，from August 2017 to September 2018 were collected. Observation indicators：(1) clinical data of enrolled patients；(2) surgical situations；(3) postoperative histopathological examination；(4)postoperative complications and hospitalization. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers and (or) percentages. Results:(1) Clinical data of enrolled patients：a total of 80 patients were selected for eligibility. There were 59 males and 21 females，aged from 53 to 79 years，with a median age of 61 years. (2）Surgical situations：all 80 patients underwent surgery successfully，including 73 cases undergoing low anterior resection，4 cases undergoing Hartmann operation，1 case undergoing intersphincteric and abdominoperineal resection，1 case undergoing other operations and 1 case missing operation information. Nineteen of the 80 patients underwent transabdominal and transanal operations simultaneously. The operation time of 80 patients was 255 minutes (range，211?305 minutes). Of 80 patients，77 cases had the volume of intraoperative blood loss ≤500 mL，3 cases had the volume of intraoperative blood loss >500 mL，44 cases underwent instrumental anastomosis，24 cases underwent manual anastomosis，12 cases were missing anastomosis information，66 cases had specimens been taken out through anus，2 cases had specimens been taken out through Pfannens-tiel incision，10 cases had specimens been taken out through other ways，2 cases were missing the information of specimens removal ways，57 cases underwent preventive stoma，32 cases under-went anal canal indwelling，30 cases underwent free of splenic flexure and 2 cases were converted to open surgery. (3) Postoperative histopathological examination：of 80 patients，68 cases had the integrity of mesorectal specimens with complete，5 cases had the integrity of mesorectal specimens with near complete，1 case had the integrity of mesorectal specimens with not complete，6 cases were missing the information of integrity of mesorectal specimens，1 case had rectal perforation，1 case had positive circumferential margin and 1 case had positive distal margin. The number of lymph node dissected and diameter of tumor were 12(range，9?16) and 3.0 cm(range，1.9?4.0 cm) of 80 patients. Four of 80 patients achieved pathological complete remission. Cases with tumor stage as T0 stage，Tis stage，T1 stage，T2 stage，T3 stage or T4 stage of the pT staging，cases with tumor stage as N0 stage，N1 stage or N2 stage of the pN staging，cases with tumor stage as M0 stage or M1 stage of the pM staging were 4，2，11，24，35，4，55，21，4，75，5 of 80 patients. (4) Postopera-tive complications and hospitalization：8 of 80 patients underwent anastomotic leakage，including 2 cases with grade A anastomotic leakage，4 cases with grade B anastomotic leakage and 2 cases with grade C anastomotic leakage.Seven of 80 patients underwent intestinal obstruction. The 2 cases with grade A anastomotic leakage were improved after symptomatic drug treatment，the 4 cases with grade B anastomotic leakage were improved after treatment with antibiotics or catheter drainage and the 2 cases with grade C anastomotic leakage were improved after operation. The duration of hospital stay of 80 patients was 14 days(range，11?21 days). No patient died during hospitalization.Conclusion:Laparoscopic assisted taTME for low rectal cancer is safe and feasible，which has a good short term efficacy.

Prognostic role of resection margin in open oncologic laryngeal surgery: survival analysis of a cohort of 139 patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma / Papel prognóstico da margem de ressecção em cirurgia oncológica aberta de laringe: análise de sobrevida de uma coorte de 139 pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas

Abstract Introduction: The treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma needs accurate risk stratification, in order to choose the most suitable therapy. The prognostic significance of resection margin is still highly debated, considering the contradictory results obtained in several studies regarding the survival rate of patients with a positive resection margin. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic role of resection margin in terms of survival and risk of recurrence of primary tumour through survival analysis. Methods: Between 2007 and 2014, 139 patients affected by laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent partial or total laryngectomy and were followed for mean of 59.44 ± 28.65 months. Resection margin status and other variables such as sex, age, tumour grading, pT, pN, surgical technique adopted, and post-operative radio- and/or chemotherapy were investigated as prognostic factors. Results: 45.32% of patients underwent total laryngectomy, while the remaining subjects in the cohort underwent partial laryngectomy. Resection margins in 73.39% of samples were free of disease, while in 21 patients (15.1%) anatomo-pathological evaluation found one of the margins to be close; in 16 subjects (11.51%) an involved resection margin was found. Only 6 patients (4.31%) had a recurrence, which occurred in 83.33% of these patients within the first year of follow-up. Disease specific survival was 99.24% after 1 year, 92.4% after 3 years, and 85.91% at 5 years. The multivariate analysis of all covariates showed an increased mortality rate only with regard to pN (HR = 5.043; p = 0.015) and recurrence (HR = 11.586; p = 0.012). Resection margin did not result an independent predictor (HR = 0.757; p = 0.653). Conclusions: Our study did not recognize resection margin as an independent prognostic factor; most previously published papers lack unanimous, methodological choices, and the cohorts of patients analyzed are not easy to compare. To reach a unanimous agreement regarding the prognostic value of resection margins, it would be necessary to carry out meta-analyses on studies sharing definition of resection margin, methodology and post-operative therapeutic choices.

Resumo Introdução: O tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas de laringe necessita de uma estratificação precisa do risco, para a escolha da terapia mais adequada. O significado prognóstico da margem de ressecção ainda é motivo de debate, considerando-se os resultados contraditórios obtidos em vários estudos sobre a taxa de sobrevida de pacientes com margem de ressecção positiva. Objetivo: Avaliar o papel prognóstico da margem de ressecção em termos de sobrevida e risco de recorrência de tumor primário através da análise de sobrevida. Método: Entre 2007 e 2014, 139 pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas de laringe foram submetidos à laringectomia parcial ou total e foram acompanhados por um tempo médio de 59,44 ± 28,65 meses. O status de margem de ressecção e outras variáveis, como sexo, idade, grau do tumor, pT, pN, técnica cirúrgica adotada e radio- e/ou quimioterapia pós-operatória, foram investigados como fatores prognósticos. Resultados: Dos pacientes, 45,32% foram submetidos à laringectomia total, enquanto os demais foram submetidos à laringectomia parcial. As margens de ressecção em 73,39% das amostras estavam livres, enquanto em 21 pacientes (15,1%) a avaliação anatomopatológica encontrou uma das margens próxima e 16 indivíduos (11,51%) apresentaram margem de ressecção comprometida. Apenas seis pacientes (4,31%) apresentaram recidiva, o que ocorreu em 83,33% desses pacientes no primeiro ano de seguimento. A sobrevida doença-específica foi de 99,24% em um ano, 92,4% em três anos e 85,91% em cinco anos. A análise multivariada de todas as covariáveis mostrou um aumento na taxa de mortalidade apenas em relação à pN (HR = 5,043; p = 0,015) e recidiva (HR = 11,586; p = 0,012). A margem de ressecção não demonstrou ser um preditor independente (HR = 0,757; p = 0,653). Conclusões: Nosso estudo não identificou a margem de ressecção como fator prognóstico independente; a maioria dos artigos publicados anteriormente não tem escolhas metodológicas unânimes e as coortes de pacientes analisados não são fáceis de comparar. Para chegar a uma concordância unânime em relação ao valor prognóstico da margem de ressecção, seria necessário fazer metanálises em estudos que compartilham a definição da margem de ressecção, metodologia e escolhas terapêuticas pós-operatórias.

What are the most important prognostic factors in patients with residual rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy? / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: We aimed to establish robust histoprognostic predictors on residual rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).METHODS: Analyzing known histoprognostic factors in 146 patients with residual disease allows associations with patient outcome to be evaluated.RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 77.8 months, during which 59 patients (40.4%) experienced recurrence and 41 (28.1%) died of rectal cancer. On univariate analysis, residual tumor size, ypT category, ypN category, ypTNM stage, downstage, tumor regression grade, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, venous invasion, and circumferential resection margin (CRM) were significantly associated with recurrence free survival (RFS) or/and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (all p<0.005). On multivariate analysis, higher ypTNM stage and CRM positivity were identified as independent prognostic factors for RFS (ypTNM stage, p=0.024; CRM positivity, p<0.001) and CSS (p=0.022, p=0.017, respectively). Furthermore, CRM positivity was an independent predictor of reduced RFS and CSS, irrespective of subgrouping according to downstage (non-downstage, p<0.001 and p<0.001; downstage, p=0.002 and p=0.002) or lymph node metastasis (non-metastasis, p<0.001 and p=0.001; metastasis, p<0.001 and p<0.001).CONCLUSION: CRM status may be as powerful as ypTNM stage as a prognostic indicator for patient outcome in patients with residual rectal cancer after preoperative CRT.

Are intraoperative abdominal radiographs necessary for identification of clips during totally laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy?

PURPOSE: Preoperative endoscopic clipping is a popular method in identifying the location of tumors during total laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy. We investigated the usefulness of additional intraoperative abdominal radiographs to identify the location of clips.METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 331 patients with early gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic clipping before total laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy between September 2012 and September 2018. Endoscopists applied two clips 1 cm from the proximal aspect of the upper margin of the tumor which was located above the angle of the stomach. We compared outcomes of patients who underwent preoperative abdominal radiographs only (group A) and those who underwent additional abdominal radiographs (group B).RESULTS: Of the total patients, 80 (24.2%) underwent additional intraoperative abdominal radiographs. The rates of positive frozen biopsy in the two groups were not significantly different (group A vs. group B: 2.8% vs. 3.8%, P=0.456). The additional resection rate was significantly higher in group B compared to group A (8.8% vs. 2.8%, P=0.048). The mean distance from the tumor was 3.3 cm (±2.4) in group A and 2.4 cm (±1.3) in group B (P<0.001). Large tumor size (≥2.4 cm) was significantly associated with additional resection (odds ratio, 5.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–26.30; P=0.031).CONCLUSION: Additional intraoperative abdominal radiographs may be unnecessary for confirmation of proximal resection margin, if the resection line can be predetermined with preoperative abdominal radiographs. For large tumors, to avoid additional resection, the resection line should be placed 1 cm or more proximally from the preoperatively applied clips.

Value of endorectal ultrasonography and MRI examination in the preoperative evaluation of T staging and circumferential resection margin of rectal cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the value of endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) and MRI examination in the preoperative evaluation of T staging and circumferential resection margin (CRM) of rectal cancer.Methods The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted.The clinicopathological data of 193 patients [122 males and 71 females,age (60± 12)years with the range of 26-90 years] who underwent radical resection of rectal cancer at the First Hospital of Jilin University from May 2016 to January 2018 were collected.All patients underwent ERUS and MRI examination before surgery,total mesorectal excision during surgery and postoperative pathological examination.Postoperative pathological results as the gold standard,the sensitivity,specificity in T staging and the CRM diagnostic coincidence rate of rectal carcinoma by ERUS and MRI examination are evaluated.Observation indicators:(1) evaluation of T staging of rectal cancer by ERUS and MRI examination;(2) evaluation of CRM in rectal cancer by ERUS and MRI examination.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD.Sensitivity,specificity and coincidence rate were calculated by chi-square test of paired fourfold table.McNemar test was used to compare the coincidence rate of T staging between ERUS and MRI examination.Consistency between CRM measurement by ERUS examination and pathological examination of rectal cancer was conducted by Kappa analysis.Fisher exact probability test was used to compare the coincidence rate of positive CRM between ERUS and MRI examination.Results (1) Evaluation of T staging of rectal cancer by ERUS and MRI examination.The overall coincidence rate of T staging of rectal cancer and coincidence rates of T1,T2,T3,T4 staging by ERUS examination were 74.61％ (144/193),93.78％ (181/193),80.83％ (156/193),79.79％ (154/193) and 94.82％ (183/193),respectively.The sensitivity ofT1,T2,T3 and T4 staging was 55.56％ (10/18),77.50％ (31/40),78.46％ (102/130),20.00％ (1/5),and the specificity was 97.71％ (171/175),81.70％ (125/153),82.54％ (52/63),96.81％ (182/188),respectively.The overall coincidence rate of T staging of rectal cancer and coincidence rates of T1,T2,T3,T4 staging by MRI examination were 50.78％ (98/193),90.67％ (175/193),74.09％ (143/193),58.55％ (113/193) and 78.24％ (151/193),respectively.The sensitivity of T1,T2,T3 and T4 staging was 0 (0/18),17.50％ (7/40),68.46％ (89/130),40.00％ (2/5),and the specificity was 100.00％ (175/175),88.89％ (136/153),38.10％ (24/63),79.26％ (149/188),respectively.There was statistically significant difference between the overall coincidence rate of ERUS and MRI examination for T staging of rectal cancer (x2 =8.631,P＜0.05).(2) Evaluation of CRM in rectal cancer by ERUS and MRI examination.The sensitivity and specificity of positive CRM evaluation of rectal cancer by ERUS examination were 100.00％ (5/5) and 97.34％ (183/188) respectively,and the coincidence rate with results of pathological examination was 97.41％ (188/193),showing a high consistency between positive CRM evaluation of rectal cancer by ERUS examination and pathological examination (Kappa value =0.655,P ＜ 0.05).The sensitivity and specificity of positive CRM evaluation of rectal cancer by MRI examination were 40.00％ (2/5) and 92.02％ (173/188),and the coincidence rate with pathological examination was 90.67％ (175/193),respectively,showing a high consistency between positive CRM evaluation of rectal cancer by MRI and pathological examination (Kappa value =0.206,P＜0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the diagnostic coincidence rate and specificity of CRM positive evaluation for rectal cancer between ERUS and MRI examination (x2 =5.896,P＜0.05).Conclusion ERUS examination has a high coincidence rate in the preoperative T staging of rectal cancer and a high consistency between positive CRM evaluation of rectal cancer with pathological examination,which are superior to MRI examination in the two aspects.

Current status of prognostic evaluation of esophageal cancer patients by circumferential resection margin / 中华肿瘤杂志

Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide due to its high malignancy and poor prognosis. In recent decades, the applications of new technologies, devices and neoadjuvant therapy lead to the great progress in the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer. However, the five-year survival rate of esophageal cancer remains unsatisfied. Clinical and pathological factors such as the primary tumor (T), regional lymph nodes (N) and distant metastasis (M) and the longitudinal margins of esophageal lesions, lymphatic invasion, peripheral nerve invasion have been identified as important predictors of the prognosis of esophageal cancer. However, the effect of circumferential resection margin on the prognosis evaluation of esophageal cancer is still controversial, and no definite identification of circumferential resection margin of esophageal cancer has been acknowledged worldwide. Therefore, the studies of circumferential resection margin involvement in predicting the prognosis of esophageal cancer are reviewed.

Prospection of optical coherence tomography for determining the tumor invasive front of hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 中国实用外科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of using optical coherence tomography(OCT)technique to determine the tumor invasive front of hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma.METHODS: Two patients were diagnosed in Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital as type Bismuth Ⅳ and type Ⅲ b hilar cholangiocarcinoma respectively and both underwent perihilar and left trihepatectomy.The common bile duct-common hepatic duct,right anterior hepatic duct and left hepatic duct were all opened along the axial direction of the bile duct after the two specimens were excised.OCT equipment was used to scan the three branches to determine the dividing point between cancer and normal bile duct.Suture markers were performed of the 6 positions,and pathological examination was carried out.RESULTS: Pathologically,both 2 cases were confirmed as hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Under OCT scan,normal bile ducts showed the inner single layer of epithelial cells was visible as a superficial,hypo-reflective layer.The intermediate connective fibromuscular layer was visible as a hyper-reflective layer and the outer connective layer was visible as a hypo-reflective layer.Malignancies showed unrecognizable layer architecture and multiple presence of nonreflective areas,with or without papillary architecture.Among 6 marker-positions determined by OCT in the 2 specimens,4 sites were less than 1 mm,1 site was about 2 mm and 1 site was about 7 mm apart from pathological tumor invasive front.CONCLUSION: OCT as a fast-real-time imaging technique has the potential to determine the tumor invasive front of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer With Persistent Circumferential Resection Margin Invasion After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE: Treatment after failure of circumferential resection margin (CRM) conversion after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (pCRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has not been evaluated well. We conducted a single‐center, retrospective analysis to fill this information gap. METHODS: From 2008 to 2016, we included 112 patients who had predictive CRM involvement on baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and who underwent surgery following pCRT for LARC. Baseline and posttreatment radiologic and clinical factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 493 patients with LARC, 112 had CRM involvement by baseline MRI (mrCRM). In 40 patients (35.7%), mrCRM involvement was converted as negative posttreatment CRM (ymrCRM−). Multivariate analysis showed the risk factors for persistent CRM involvement (ymrCRM+) after pCRT were extramural venous invasion (mrEMVI+) (P = 0.030) and lower tumor location (P = 0.007). In addition, persistent CRM involvement after pCRT was an independent risk factor for predicting pathologic CRM involvement. The Cox proportional hazard model showed baseline positive mrEMVI remained significant for disease-free survival (DFS) (P < 0.001). On posttreatment MRI, abdominoperineal resection (P = 0.031), intersphincteric resection (P = 0.006), and persistent CRM involvement (P = 0.001) remained significant for local recurrence-free survival. With regard to DFS, persistent CRM involvement (P = 0.048) and positive EMVI on posttreatment MRI (ymrEMVI) (P = 0.014) were significant. In the patient subgroup with persistent CRM involvement, 5-year DFS in patients with mrEMVI and ymrEMVI was 29.8% and 21.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients who fail to convert to negative CRM have extremely poor oncologic outcomes. Lower tumor height and negative mrEMVI status were good responders to ymrCRM conversion. Our results suggest that these patients require a more intensive treatment modality.

Identification of Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features Associated with Positive Resection Margins in Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine which preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinicopathologic features are associated with positive resection margins at the time of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in patients with breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed preoperative breast MRI and clinicopathologic features of 120 patients (mean age, 53.3 years; age range, 27–79 years) with breast cancer who had undergone BCS in 2015. Tumor size on MRI, multifocality, patterns of enhancing lesions (mass without non-mass enhancement [NME] vs. NME with or without mass), mass characteristics (shape, margin, internal enhancement characteristics), NME (distribution, internal enhancement patterns), and breast parenchymal enhancement (BPE; weak, strong) were analyzed. We also evaluated age, tumor size, histology, lymphovascular invasion, T stage, N stage, and hormonal receptors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between clinicopathological features, MRI findings, and positive resection margins. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, tumor size on MRI, multifocality, NME with or without mass, and segmental distribution of NME were correlated with positive resection margins. Among the clinicopathological factors, tumor size of the invasive breast cancer and in situ components were significantly correlated with a positive resection margin. Multivariate analysis revealed that NME with or without mass was an independent predictor of positive resection margins (odds ratio [OR] = 7.00; p < 0.001). Strong BPE was a weak predictor of positive resection margins (OR = 2.59; p = 0.076). CONCLUSION: Non-mass enhancement with or without mass is significantly associated with a positive resection margin in patients with breast cancer. In patients with NME, segmental distribution was significantly correlated with positive resection margins.

Proximal Resection Margins: More Prognostic than Distal Resection Margins in Patients Undergoing Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Resection / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Even though the therapeutic gold standard of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) resection is cancer-free resection margin (RM), surgical treatment still remains challenging. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of RM status in resected HCCA patients and identified survival prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed records of 96 HCCA patients who underwent surgery from 2001 to 2012 and analyzed the RM status and prognostic factors that affecting survival. RESULTS: Negative RM (n=31, 33%) was significantly associated with better survival vs. positive RM (n=65, 67%) (mean survival time [MST], 33 months vs. 21 months; p=0.011). Margins with histological findings of non-dysplastic epithelium, low-grade dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ were not associated with survival differences (MST, 33 months vs. 33 months vs. 30 months; p=0.452), whereas positive margins were associated with poorer survival relative to carcinoma in situ (MST, 30 months vs. 21 months; p=0.050). Among patients with R0 resection, narrow (≤ 5 mm) and wide (> 5 mm) margins were not associated with survival differences (MST, 33 months vs. 30 months; p=0.234). Although positive proximal RM was associated with poorer survival compared to negative RM (MST, 19 vs. 33; p=0.002), no survival difference was observed between positive and negative distal RMs (MST, 30 vs. 33; p=0.628). Proximal RM positivity (hazard ratio [HR], 2.688; p=0.007) and nodal involvement (HR, 3.293; p < 0.001) were independent survival prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: A clear RM, especially proximal RM status, was significant prognosticator, and proximal bile duct resection to the greatest technically feasible extent may be necessary, with careful consideration of the potential morbidity and oncologic outcomes after resection. However, an aggressive approach to obtain a negative distal RM might be controversial and should be considered carefully, depending on the patient's status.

Therapeutic effect of extralevator abdominoperineal excision in combination with conventional abdominoperineal excision on distal rectal cancer:A Meta-analysis / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the short and long-term efficacy of extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE)vs.conventional abdominoperineal excision (APE)on distal rectal cancer.Methods Relevant studies were identified by search of Medline,EMBASE,and Web of Science published between January 1,2008 and February 28,2015,and included in the systematic review and meta-analysis with Stata software (version 12.0). Results Our Meta-analysis included 14 studies involving 3278 patients,of whom 1843 (56.2%)underwent ELAPE and 1435 (43.8%)underwent APE.Compared with patients undergoing APE,those undergoing ELAPE had a significantly reduced risk of intraoperative bowel perforation (IBP)involvement (OR=0 .55 ,95% CI= 0 .37-0 .85 ),but no significant reduction in the occurrence of CRM positivity (OR=0 .81 ,95% CI=0 .52-1 .25 ), local recurrence (LR)(OR=0.49,95% CI=0.18-1.30),wound complications (WCs)(OR=0.93,95% CI=0.65-1.35)or in-hospital death (IHD)(OR=0.89,95% CI=0.47-1.71).Conclusion ELAPE can reduce the risk of IBP but not for CRM positivity or LR when compared with APE.Therefore,more higher-quality studies are needed to verify the short-and long-term effects of ELAPE procedure on distal rectal cancer.

Advantage of extralevator abdominoperineal excision comparing to the conventional abdominoperineal excision for low rectal cancer: a Meta-analysis / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective:Whether extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) improves survival and safety remains controversial.Systematic review of all comparative studies to define the superiority of ELAPE to conventional abdominoperineal excision (APE).Methods:Corresponding data,with case-control studies or cohorts regarding intraoperative perforation rate,the local recurrence rate and postoperative complications in the ELAPE group and the APE group,were retrieved from PubMed,Embase,the Cochrane Library,Chinese Biomedical Literature (CMB),VIP,China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI),and Wanfang Database.Meta-analysis was performed by using RenMan 5.2.Results:A total of 10 articles were included.Intraperative perforation rate (MD=0.54,95％ CI 0.31 to 1.39,P=0.03),local recurrence rate (MD=0.30,95％ CI 0.21 to 0.42,P＜0.001) in the ELAPE group was significantly lower than that in the APE group.The difference in positive margin rate between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P=0.07).Conclusion:Through gap repair of episiotomy and individualized therapy can improve ELAPE postoperative quality of life.ELAPE shows certain advantages in treating lower rectal cancer comparing to APE,but it should pay attention to individualized treatment.More studies through large sample multi-center,medium and long term randomized design are necessary to determine the effect of surgery on tumor.

The Pros and Cons of Computer-Aided Surgery for Segmental Mandibular Reconstruction after Oncological Surgery

Computer-aided surgery (CAS) started being used for head and neck reconstruction in the late 2000s. Its use represented a paradigm shift, changing the concept of head and neck reconstruction as well as mandible reconstruction. Reconstruction using CAS proceeds through 4 phases: planning, modeling, surgery, and evaluation. Thus, it can overcome a number of trial-and-error issues which may occur in the operative field and reduce surgical time. However, if it is used for oncologic surgery, it is difficult to evaluate tumor margins during tumor surgery, thereby restricting pre-surgical planning. Therefore, it is dangerous to predetermine the resection margins during the pre-surgical phase and the variability of the resection margins must be taken into consideration. However, it allows for the preparation of a prebending plate and planning of an osteotomy site before an operation, which are of great help. If the current problems are resolved, its applications can be greatly extended.

Impact of Resection Margin Distance on Survival of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: While curative resection is the only chance of cure in pancreatic cancer, controversies exist about the impact of surgical margin status on survival. Non-standardized pathologic report and different criteria on the R1 status made it difficult to implicate adjuvant therapy after resection based on the margin status. We evaluated the influence of resection margins on survival by meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We thoroughly searched electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. We included studies reporting survival outcomes with different margin status: involved margin (R0 mm), margin clearance with ≤ 1 mm (R0-1 mm), and margin with > 1 mm (R>1 mm). Hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival was extracted, and a random-effects model was used for pooled analysis. RESULTS: A total of eight retrospective studies involving 1,932 patients were included. Pooled HR for overall survival showed that patients with R>1 mm had reduced risk of death than those with R0-1 mm (HR, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 0.88; p=0.001). In addition, patients with R0-1 mm had reduced risk of death than those with R0 mm (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.91; p < 0.001). There was no heterogeneity between the included studies (I2 index, 42% and 0%; p=0.10 and p=0.82, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that stratification of the patients based on margin status is warranted in the clinical trials assessing the role of adjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Impact of Resection Margin Distance on Survival of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: While curative resection is the only chance of cure in pancreatic cancer, controversies exist about the impact of surgical margin status on survival. Non-standardized pathologic report and different criteria on the R1 status made it difficult to implicate adjuvant therapy after resection based on the margin status. We evaluated the influence of resection margins on survival by meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We thoroughly searched electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. We included studies reporting survival outcomes with different margin status: involved margin (R0 mm), margin clearance with ≤ 1 mm (R0-1 mm), and margin with > 1 mm (R>1 mm). Hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival was extracted, and a random-effects model was used for pooled analysis. RESULTS: A total of eight retrospective studies involving 1,932 patients were included. Pooled HR for overall survival showed that patients with R>1 mm had reduced risk of death than those with R0-1 mm (HR, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61 to 0.88; p=0.001). In addition, patients with R0-1 mm had reduced risk of death than those with R0 mm (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72 to 0.91; p < 0.001). There was no heterogeneity between the included studies (I2 index, 42% and 0%; p=0.10 and p=0.82, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that stratification of the patients based on margin status is warranted in the clinical trials assessing the role of adjuvant treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Risk factors for positive resection margins after endoscopic submucosal dissection of early esophageal squamous carcinomas and precancerous lesions / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To identify the risk factors for positive resection residues after endoscopic submucosal dissection ( ESD ) of early esophageal squamous carcinomas and precancerous lesions. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in 315 patients with early esophageal squamous cancer and precancerous lesion who underwent ESD. The pathological features of all resection margins in the specimen and the follow?up outcome of the patients with positive resection margin were evaluated. Univariate and multi?variate analysis were used to determine the risk factors for resection margin residues after ESD. Results In 315 lesions,there were 290 lesions with negative resection margins and 25 with positive resection margins.The number of lesions with positive lateral, basal, or both resection margins was 13, 8, and 4, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the depth of invasion( submucosal layer invasion, P=0?048) was the only independent risk factor for positive basal resection margin. The proportion of circumferential extension (≥3/4,P=0?014) and the depth of invasion( exceeding muscularis mucosa, P=0?007) were independent risk factors for positive lateral resection margin. Conclusion The diameter of the lesions and the depth of tumor invasion are independent risk factors for esophageal ESD positive resection margins. Accurate evaluation of lesion extension and invasive depth is critical to avoid residual or recurrent tumor after esophageal ESD.

Comparative study of transrectal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance in preoperative estimation of circumferential resection margin of mid-low rectal cancer / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To compare the value of transrectal ultrasonography(TRUS) and magnetic resonance(MR) in preoperative estimation of circumferential resection margin (CRM) of mid-low rectal cancer.Methods Both TRUS and MR were performed prior to surgery in 111 patients with mid-low rectal cancer.The CRM was evaluated and compared with the postoperative pathologic findings.Results The accuracy of TRUS and MR for CRM was 91.9％(102/111) and 85.6％(95/111),respectively,there was no statistical difference between them (P =0.137).Their specificities were 94.0％ (79/84)and 84.5％ (71/84),there was statistical difference between them(P =0.046).The consistency of the results between TRUS and pathology was better than that between MR and pathology(Kappa1 =0.783,Kappas =0.652).Conclusions TRUS is proved to have an important diagnostic value for CRM of mid-low rectal cancer.